I don't normally buy fish from petsmart, but they are the only ones that had neons that looked healthy so I took the plunge and bought 11 of them. They didn't have any sick fish at all, which is a first for me... but I digress. I'm putting them in a QT for now because I still don't trust buying fish from them. I then proceeded to ask for a bolivian ram and I was informed that the bolivian ram would kill all of the tetras and eat them. I didn't want to start an argument so I left without the ram. Is there any chance of that happening at all?
Today's Petsmart Experience
- Thread starter Laser
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Fishandmusic81
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Laser said:
Not from what I've seen in people's tanks
When I went to petsmart mines actually pretty good theirs a good amount of reptile/fish people not just employees that qualified but one lady thought I was crazy for wanting to put a betta in a community tank
they always tell me stuff like that, but I just say I have a couple tanks and there going in different ones, even if they aren't. just brining up something else I hate about petsmart, if you look at the little tags they have under the tanks identify the fish and care for example it says stuff like an Oscar only needs a 30 gallon tank, and I have seen people get recommendations from the employees and walk out with a 20 gallon tank and 2 oscars.
Fishandmusic81
Aquarium Advice FINatic
dwarflionfishlover said:
That really bothers me too -.-
Seeing kids buy like a 2.5 gallons and seeing them wanting to overstock it with all these fish
Also seeing people buy 2 bettas
Fishandmusic81 said:
I know. I know plenty of people that went and were told to buy a tank and fish the same day, and when the fish died because the water became toxic and they didn't take proper care, they can't e refunded because it says on the receipt that they must test the water from the tank and if anything is wrong with it then you dont get a refund. the betta thing also, there are countless people posting videos on YouTube buying 2 bettas and fighting them in bowls.
I never get good advice at petsmart... one guy was trying to talk me out of the API master test kit in favor of test strips because test tubes are too much hassle, you have to count the drops, you can stain the carpet with the solutions... etc.
Fishandmusic81
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I want to get a job there I'll enjoy giving good info out but I'm 17 you have to be 18 but I think you can be 17 at petco I always notice their needs to be more people at fish section and the petco in my area is probably the best place to buy fish the tanks are always clean fish look healthy
I was at Petcetera this week and while I have always been disappointed in their betta bowls, this time I was shocked. They must have just received a new shipment. They were floating in a big tank in wee bags that were too small for the fish to turn around in. Some were just lying there, others flailing. The wee bit of water in the bags was filthy. And they were all together (in their own bags, but floating side by side), so some were completely freaking out. I actually left my intended purchases behind and walked out because I felt sick.
I have never got fish by mail order... Is this the usual way to ship fish?
I have never got fish by mail order... Is this the usual way to ship fish?
Alyxx
Aquarium Advice Addict
ErinMcG said:
That's how the Bettas come in at my LFS, I try to go in when she gets her new stock in all the time if she isn't working, and she has showed me the new bettas before she got them all put out. Itty bitty bag with not much water. So I imagine that is how they tend to be shipped. I think some of the ones at walmart and petsmart that have the labelled cups with the upc code on the lid are shipped in the cups. I suppose it helps the shippers save on the weight of the package. It does seem pretty bad, but as long as they get into new water when they arrive it isn't all that bad. Shippers usually fast fish for a few days before shipping, so that they aren't spending the whole trip pooping and fouling their water, and many use ammo lock type products as well as mild sedatives to aid the fish in shipping. It sucks, but if it didn't have a high survival rate, they wouldn't be doing it anymore, as they would be loosing too much money replacing dead livestock. For what it is worth, the Bettas I've gotten from the LFS where I know they are shipped in tiny bags have been healthier at time of purchase than the ones I've gotten from walmart and petsmart where I believe they are shipped in their little cups with more water.
Freakgecko91
Aquarium Advice Addict
I worked at my local pet store for a little over four years as our "reptile/fish specialist" although I hated being called that bc there's so much I have yet to learn 
anyway, betas were ALWAYS shipped that way, male or female, and it bothered me every time. Tiny bags, with just enough water for them to not dry up in, it was awful...it wasn't as much the small bags as it was the lack f water that bugged me the most, super inhumane IMO
anyway, betas were ALWAYS shipped that way, male or female, and it bothered me every time. Tiny bags, with just enough water for them to not dry up in, it was awful...it wasn't as much the small bags as it was the lack f water that bugged me the most, super inhumane IMOSimilar threads
